'Pak Govt playing no role in Asif case'

Pakistan PM's adviser on interior affairs Rehman Malik dismisses reports that the Govt is wielding its influence to get detained pacer in Dubai.

Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser on interior affairs Rehman Malik has dismissed reports that the government was wielding its influence to get detained pacer Mohammad Asif released in Dubai.

Malik said the Pakistan Cricket Board had not approached the government to help them get Asif released from detention.

Asif was detained at the Dubai airport on June 1 while returning to Pakistan from India after playing in the Indian Premier League and authorities recovered 0.24 gram of opium from his possession.

Malik said the Pakistani government was not keen to get involved in the case as it involved drugs.

"Unless we know the quantity of the drug and what are the charges against him we cannot get involved. If they charge him they will try him according to the law of their land," Malik said.

Earlier, speculation had been rife that the Pakistan government was involved in the case after senior board officials met Malik in Islamabad yesterday.

But Malik said the meeting was requested by PCB officials to discuss and review the security arrangements for the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy.

Malik said even if Asif is deported from Dubai the authorities would carry out their own investigations if the board recommends that some action be taken against the player.

"The question is if they charge him they will try him and if they deport him then it is up to the board Chairman to recommend action against him and if we are asked to do something we will carry out investigations into the incident and Asifs involvement with drugs.

"We will only act on this case if the PCB formally requests us to do so," he added.